Madison, Dolley

1768 – She was born on the 20th day of May this year in New Garden, a Quaker community located in the area now known as Guilford County, North Carolina.

1790 – She married John Todd, Jr., a lawyer who was instrumental in keeping her father out of bankruptcy and who found Mary Payne a position as the manager of a boarding house.

1793 – Her son and husband died of yellow fever that broke out an epidemic in Philadelphia.

1794 – After returning to Philadelphia, her friend Aaron Burr, who was a frequent guest at the boarding house managed by Mary Payne, introduced her to James Madison. She married Madison in a plantation in Washington.

1809 – Her husband served as the President of United States until 1817. She also occasionally acted as what is now described as First Lady of the United States during the administration of Thomas Jefferson, fulfilling the ceremonial functions more usually associated with the President's wife, since Jefferson was a widower.